LEAF LITTER AND THE FOOD WEB - RULES

[@unifiedvision999]

Anyone else notice how FF looks like...Poseidon? Keep on truckin', Father, you have the true info.

[@davidjames1815]

In the mere 2 weeks or so since I've set up my tank, already there seems to be this balance. By now, w an ordinary aquarium, I would've water changed and vacuumed atleast twice. I won't assume too much yet. I'm new to the natural tank hobby and have lots to experience and learn from those experiences. Thank you for another great video, Father Fish.

[@orlandominichiello]

You are a unique person, the information is priceless saving fish in tanks the world over.

[@RockosFishRoom]

Amazing stream as always. Killer shirt too. I love it hehehe.

[@FatherFish]

HEY ROCKO>Thank you for the shirt!!

[@AquaticDomain]

Leaf litter changed my tanks completely. I can’t say enough amazing things about FF and how he has changed the hobby for me!

[@FatherFish]

Yes. It is amazing when we can provide an environment that grows food.

[@fishiontanktics9356]

Leaf litter in my pond, makes feeding fish more fun! 🎶

[@FatherFish]

I know! Right?

[@babysheryl1310]

You're the only person who knows true (healthy aqusrium) biology of the circle of life!

[@FatherFish]

Thank you Sheryl There are pothers who understand. Lucas and Alex are two.

[@brianwatson7544]

Last vacation we had someone stay over to watch the house. It was nice being able to not worry about someone over feeding my tanks. I came back after a week without feeding and everyone was in great shape. Having a tank full of life was enough to hold them over. But I can't wait to to do a #FF #FoodWeb tank!

[@FatherFish]

Congrats having a house sitter who does not feed the fish. You are gonna love the food web.

[@AC3HT]

Great information. Thanks Father Fish. 🐟🐠🐡

[@FatherFish]

Thank you David.

[@MELODYMUNRO]

Hi Father Fish, thank you for your content. I wanted to share with you an observation I have made with my discus. I have a breeding pair in a 120 gallon. I have done the opposite with my breeding pair as to what is recommended. Their tank is NOT sterile. Their tank has deep sand substrate, rocks, lots of driftwood and anubius plants. I also add dried and partly broken down eucalyptus leaves and gum nuts. (I am in Australia). I have observed the parents escorting their fry to the wood, leaves and rocks to nibble on them. Apart from a few very small and undeveloped fry, I have not lost many in 3 spawns now. Further to this I have not had to worm them or the parents, nor have I had to treat for any other diseases. The young are more like pirahana when they eat, aggressive and energetically attacking their food. I believe that the reason discus have come to be perceived as delicate fish is because we are failing them by not allowing them to graze on microbes and gut load bacteria as they would in nature. Every animal on the planet requires bacteria in their gut to process food - and the greater variety of it the healthier the lifeform. So why oh why do we think that a sterile environment, or boiling everything we are planning to put into our tanks is a good idea? Give me messy leaves and mulm, they can keep their sterile boxes.

[@FatherFish]

Melody, wonderful post. PLEASE join our Discord and post pics of your discus. This is an important story than needs to be told. I will be carrying the Steinecheri discus starting this spring. They are uniquely raised to thrive in a natural environment.

[@cizia69]

I am planning on getting discus, and I want to follow Father Fish's advice and murk it up with real life; thanks for posting.

[@mook601]

Do you feed the fry any additional foods, or do you only feed them the leaves and debris, collected from the creek? If so how often do you feed a tank that has fry, since they need to eat a lot to develop. Thanks

[@EuroGupper]

As a new (about 3 months) Discus fish keeper i have noticed the same All the stories of how delicate and difficult they are to keep. I do not understand where that came from. Be well informed and contact your supplier on their water parameters and try to copy is without forcing it too much because if slight differences in water source from your location and the supplier Deep substrate, dead logs, dead leaves, jungle worth of swordplants of different types (I do not remove the dead leaves. The hardwater is good to bot cause pH drops due to rotting etc) 10 German Wonder Discus fish, 1 Siamese Algae Eater, 10 Corydoras Julii (600 liters (about 120 or 125 gallon tank)) The discus have kept vibrant colors, do not display (desperation) schooling behavior because they are too busy scouring the substrate, plants and logs looking for tidbits to eat. As a matter of fact they are tame and i wish they would display a bit more wild behavior (eventhough they are tank bred German Discus). The natural tank has given a mix of wild and tame behavior 😂 (they allow me to pet them sometimes) Discus seem to not only be the royalty of fresh water fish (that's what many call them), but its almost like they are smarter than the average freshwater aquarium fish as well

[@DLMyth2]

For the algorithm!

[@FatherFish]

TY DL

[@meminustherandomgooglenumbers]

+1 😁

[@AZ-dd4ti]

How to add leaves to our aquarium. Im asking this question because most of the YT videos shows that we need to wash and boil it then they are adding it to the aquarium is that correct way to add a leaf. Could you please tell us what is the correct way to add leaves to the aquarium. ​@@FatherFish

[@stuphaneslabuschagne2623]

Can i put grape leafes in my aquarium ​@@FatherFish

[@pilotavery]

Thanks for this info, Dr. Fish.

[@Christopher-il8zo]

You have changed the way I keep fish, thank you so much for all of your information! 😁 I thought I was crazy just putting rocks and wood from outside in all my tanks and watching the fish eat whatever came off!

[@FatherFish]

It is amazing we are taught to fear what is most natural. Good job overcoming. Thank you for the post. Please, Maluk, join us on Discord. You will find a warm welcome and appreciation. discord.gg/8DmmRE9Nq4

[@PVT_Ryan_769]

Job 12:7-8

[@madcat61207]

Father Fish! 👍 love your attitude I've learned a lot from listening to your talks. Especially regarding a deep substrate. Thumbs up for the beneficial bacteria.

[@FatherFish]

MADCAT!👍

[@madcat61207]

@@FatherFish love your attitude I've learned a lot from listening to your talks. Especially regarding a deep substrate. Thumbs up for the beneficial bacteria.

[@ecksdeedood562]

saving all of our beautiful fish babies❤️❤️💕 god bless you sir

[@delancyhennings4105]

Trying my first natural tank, very excited.

[@gosiarhomecooking5123]

Hello dear friend, very interesting upload. Have a great day/ Gosia

[@FatherFish]

Thank you! You too! I am in love with your channel.

[@ILIKEUALOT]

I find a new video I haven't watched yet every day! Learn Learn Learn!

[@t1dirty]

More great information

[@FatherFish]

Glad it was helpful!

[@iainaquariumagic]

Great advice father fish. This works for me too. My aquarium life is loving the leaves 🎉

[@aquaticness1]

Thanks for all the great information Have a wonderful Sunday

[@FatherFish]

Thank you! You too!

[@Desmond000007]

800 to go!

[@FatherFish]

794!

[@Desmond000007]

@@FatherFish Do you win a price at 10 K? 😆

[@Aquatic_Amigo]

Thank you 🙏🏼 for great info …

[@darylcavanagh3977]

Going to try this with my new tank. As a race we are realising again the benefits of natural world and symbiotic relationship. Look at explosion in probiotics and edible fungus for human consumption. Huge push back against chemicals and over cleaning

[@ryanoakes4629]

H A ! Dead on..and your absolutely right about over feeding..people over feed..hungry fish should be looking for its own micro food …everyone wants a kardashian tank. Lol

[@FatherFish]

a kardashian tank. lol expensive and worthless. Perfect!

[@audrameyer9558]

I am so glad I found your channel. I love the information and enthusiasm in which it is delivered 😊

[@FatherFish]

Welcome aboard! Thank you Audra. It is delightful to be appreciated for enthusiasm!

[@lilianubia3648]

I get inspired by your videos Father Fish! there's always great content

[@FatherFish]

I appreciate that!

[@reinaldoptizer3884]

Estou adorando todos estes conselhos do father fish para a criação de aquários naturais. Vou de vídeo em vídeo e cada vez aprendo mais. Aquários assim são os que realmente valem a pena se ter e manter.

[@animablo]

I watched a lot of your videos😂

[@StormCaller5]

Awesome video

[@FatherFish]

Thank you Storm Caller

[@tyadkins2829]

I've kept Reptiles and Amphibians in the most natural tanks I could possibly create since I was a child... because I love the way nature shapes things...and because it was logical. Now there's a movement of "bioactive" enclosures and I'm so happy that it seems to be catching on. This is the "enrichment" so many keepers strive for. This is THE way to ensure happy fish. Your methods are brilliant. I've followed them to great success with minimal effort. I love watching you bring nature back into the equation. Thank you for your insight. Thank you for your wisdom.

[@FatherFish]

Thank you for your support. This is a battle worth waging.

[@tyadkins2829]

@@FatherFish I agree 100%. Everything is more harmonious and more "in tune" so to speak, when we let nature do it's thing. We could do away with all these synthetic chemicals...I'd compare it to the food and pharmaceutical industry, but that would open an entirely different can of worms. I guess what I'm getting at, is that I feel we should strive to implement your methods of natural is better into the care and upkeep of any animals we might possess... Even into our daily lives and caring for our own bodies.

[@sertanza]

Thanks for all the fish Grandmaster. All the respect and love.

[@FatherFish]

Thand You Ser. You are very gracious iin your praise.

[@DIY-ForEverything]

I am thoroughly enjoying your videos

[@sq33qs]

Excellent video!

[@FatherFish]

Thank you very much sq33qs.

[@geotankmates3468]

Great info. I'm on a journey now to make the tanks natural. Thank you

[@FatherFish]

You got this! Geo.

[@lisadouglas2963]

I’m going to get on to discord too. Hope to see you there soon❤

[@dreamercraftcorner]

Wow interesting

[@FatherFish]

Glad you think so Dreamer. Come on back.

[@BIBLE-UNBUTCHERED]

Love your beneficial tips FF - and how kind for the fish to live in natural surroundings

[@AquaticSecrets]

In the vanguard!

[@Flufferz626]

Natural tanks are so much more beautiful than those plastic plants. And makes it easier. Also could you point out a video of yours or just offer any tips if you're moving domicile

[@mikefritz4111]

Great news. Can u put leaves between soil and sand on setup ur soil made. Can i d i put mexican potters clay rolled in little balls before the soil instead of iron liqiud.

[@FatherFish]

yes and yes

[@KarunakaranNaresh]

💯

[@MrGigi-dz9cv]

4:00 Europeean typical thinking.

[@Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

I'm going out to volunteer with a community organization that plants water plants along shorelines of lakes to prevent erosion/runoff etc. I'm using the opportunity to also collect my handful of lake mud and if I'm lucky, maybe they will let me take a few aquatic plants home for the tank :)

[@FatherFish]

Sounds like fun. The plants will be bog types, some suitable for aquariums. You might also find some aquatic plants like ludwigia.

[@deanpeak5388]

I have a dirted 180 gal planted tank capped with Seachem Flourite. I purchased the dirt from Dustin's Fish Tank. If I wanted to try and start a Food Web in this tank, would I start adding Leaves from your Leaf Mix? I see if you a Leaf Culture, Leaf Kit and Leaf Mix. I just want to make sure I start in the right direction?

[@FatherFish]

Sounds great!

[@johnpotsch7349]

What lights do you use for plant growth?

[@FatherFish]

LED shop lights.

[@johnpotsch7349]

Have you tried blue led lights to see if plants grow any better. From what I've read, the blue light is supposably better at penetrating the water to the bottom of the tank. I figured if I have floating plants it may help stem plants and grass type . Thank you again.

[@lorelei8301]

Hello FF. I have looked through so many of you videos and cannot find my answer. Could you please tell me after my initial 10 gallon set up with a handful of leaf litter from my creek, when and how much do I add more? Thank you so much!!

[@FatherFish]

Yes. Add the mulch once a week for a month. Then add dry leaves and replace them when they are consumed. There should be an inch of leaf litter in the tank in at least one large area.Just go slow. Good question. Thank you.

[@tinacorrine5392]

How soon after setting up your FF tank do you add leaf liter? And you start with the leaves from the water? My tank is only 5 days old. I put I. Your stem plant bundle and it looks great. Trying to be patient 😄

[@amarabidali5316]

there are people on yt who use specific leaves for shrimp tanks to feed the shrimp the life that grows on them as they decompose, they even collect leaves in the summer to store for the winter

[@FatherFish]

Yes. Very smart.

[@meep2576]

I just collected them from the yard 😳 next time I go to the lake I’ll pick up some better material. I put small river rocks that I had collected years ago over the substrate and it looks prettier. Then the pleco comes out at night and does his damage. My yellow pleco is 3 years old after he dies I’ll never get another one.

[@hungryplant3849]

I love your ideas, I want to set up a low maintenance aquaponics garden. I was thinking of including an area filled with leaf litter. I wonder how well it will work. Perhaps a foot deep with water chestnut, maybe some gammarus scuds, I'll fill it with mullberry leaves which inverts seem to love, maybe it has less tannins than oak ? Or more vitamins ?

[@FatherFish]

We have a research project right now that will produce a unit in a few months. It is about leaves and humic material. We will have answers about nutrients and diversity of leaves.

[@Ttblondey]

My angelfish likes to nibble dried mulberry leaves. Not sure why.

[@FatherFish]

Cichlids are omnivores. They will eat anything. Have you ever t asted a mulberry leaf? Just asking. lol

[@Ttblondey]

Never tried before.

[@arkansasboy45]

Can you explain more about the leaves and how this whole cycle works? Do you have to periodically add more leaves?

[@FatherFish]

Not in a few words. Come over to DISCORD where the conversation is oongoing. discord.gg/XpqMuaVDTy

[@charleneheaman2033]

What you teach makes total sense. I set up my tank this past March. It is heavily planted, not quite 70% yet so I will add more BUT I have 3 inches of small pebble substrate not sand. Should I change it? If so how do I do that when I already have fish etc in there?

[@FatherFish]

No need to change. Simply add 2" of pool filter sand to the gravel.

[@charleneheaman2033]

@@FatherFish I will do that today! Thanks for the help

[@charleneheaman2033]

@@FatherFish I’ve added the sand and increased my plants. How long should I wait before adding more fish? How will I know when I can stop feeding the fish because the tank ecosystem is supporting them?

[@charleneheaman2033]

@@FatherFish okay I can do that. And how do I gauge when I can increase the number of fish I’m keeping?

[@AquaticDomain]

I went away for a week and my fish had babies while I was gone.

[@animablo]

Nice 😂

[@Voyvoda1903]

I think I just heard father fish say “It’s a stable fucking tank” at the 6:20 mark 😂 😂 😂 and I hope I’m right 😂

[@FatherFish]

Listened to it 3 times. I think you got me. Never would have believed it.

[@DannyMiller259]

I have some grass that has taken over the areas of sand. There's not really place left for leaf litter. This is a small tank, so hard to deal with real-estate issues. Should I be carefully uprooting a section of the grass?

[@VipinBorole]

Father fish, we have a small garden and we can find a layer of decomposed leaves (many are black and some are decomposing). Can I put those in my Father Fish aquarium?

[@FatherFish]

Vipin they probably will do fine. There are aquatic and terrestrial mycelium but our research so far indicates terrestrial may include some spores that will grow in water. Try it and see. Can't hurt

[@poquito808]

Do you use CO2 in you tanks? I like that betta in that enourmous tank. He seems to enjoy his big space with lots of plants.

[@FatherFish]

I never use CO2. The deep substrate creates more CO2 than artificial means ever could.

[@knickknacksthingsllc8414]

Question, I don't live by a stream or lake, however I have a garden with fruit trees and vegetables, can I use those fallen leaves (mango,plum,avacado,ect)? I have some that are submerged in rain water and look to be decomposing.

[@FatherFish]

Yes. Use only fallen or naturally dried leaves. The wet stuff will be perfect as starter culture.

[@kevincoogan4025]

Hi. Do you have any advice on best way to maintain a Food Web (resurrection tabk) during the winter?

[@FatherFish]

Just do it!

[@user-px6sk3xz9w]

Thank you for all of the knowledge, how often are you changing filters in your natural tanks?

[@FatherFish]

I have sponge filters and I only rinse them in aquarium water when they need it

[@charlesroll8502]

Do you have to consider the temperature of water that you collect leaves from? Can you collect during winter and accumulate the biological

[@FatherFish]

Dormant fauna in cold weather will revive in warm water.

[@god-lightbulb]

Shrimp breeders feed blanched/boiled vegetable leaves to their shrimp. Can these be fed to small fish too? Can infusoria be feed to adult small fish such as minnows and danios? Or is infusoria just for baby fry?

[@FatherFish]

rt-com - if they are small enough to eat it. A 1" fish can fill its belly on protozoan.

[@mikefm4]

For the algorithm! ⚔️

[@charlesroll8502]

Does the same bio exist in tropical bodies of water as Northern bodies of water for collection?

[@FatherFish]

Yes. Microbes know no boundaries. They are global.

[@NelsonBoomerSchwarz]

How long shoul I keep lights on every day?

[@FatherFish]

As long as you can tolerate them on. Lights cannot equal the sun.

[@NelsonBoomerSchwarz]

@@FatherFish thank you 🙏

[@4.23.21]

Hey father fish im about to start a fish tank for my father as a gift and im trying to learn as much as i can and i wanted to ask how you make sure you dont grab parasites with the beneficial bacteria

[@FatherFish]

not to worry. The balance is the key.

[@spacefanboy]

What are common plants?

[@FatherFish]

stem plants

[@deanpeak5388]

Well... this has me thinking now. I am about to setup a new 195 gal tank. I run a UV sterilizer on my other 180 gal tank Planted aquarium and was going to install one on my new 195 gal as well but now starting to doubt needing to install it if I am trying to go the natural way as you discuss on my new tank? What is your thought on UV Sterilizers?

[@FatherFish]

Counterproductive. They destroy the very environment you are trying to create.

[@richardcooke644]

Hi farther fish i have just put some Indian almond leaves in my tank .how long do i leave them in please

[@FatherFish]

until they completely disintegrate.

[@kevincetina7594]

I've got a question, if water of my aquarium evaporates and I refill it almost once per week (not more than 5 lt in a 75 lt aquarium) isnt that some sort of water change? thnks father fish.

[@FatherFish]

I am so sorry that is not a water change, but I will help you out any way I can with what you want.

[@ferdygalvez7618]

Are dry avocado tree leafs save for my tank?

[@FatherFish]

yes. Mix with other types that break down more quickly.

[@garethharrison3391]

Are leaves from a pond the best to put into the tank or can you just put any leaves from out the garden etc?

[@deandrragnarok6274]

Should i rinse off the leaves or boil or just throw them in

[@FatherFish]

the leaves must have be completely natural

[@paulalexander570]

I've set up my tank and got it in full swing. I have had the filter running since day one. Would you recommend keeping it on or do you turn it off and not use one? I have a bubble machine I pop on every other day or so. Really trying to create what you have and follow in your footsteps. Just hope I've done it right. Time will tell. Thank you again. One amazing guy and an inspiration

[@FatherFish]

Your call. Any choice is a good one.

[@paulalexander570]

Thank you, sir. Appreciate your replies.

[@Firebird894]

The only tanks I now do not have plants in the substrate in deep sanddirt are the tanks I am breeding egg scatterers in. I am still working on different methods to find one I like the best that still works as a stable natural tank this is a hard thing to balance but I have some new ideas. 1 idea is do a few different small species that won't cross breed but give them enough room to have territories and use the egg mops or a clump of floating plant I like mops because its easy. But I don't like having a bare tank with just little containers to encourage spawning in. Ive been doing it and it works but I want to try a method where I put a sponge pad divider in the tank. have a deep sand bed on one side plant that side. and on the other side put rock and stone piles with air lift tubes into the bottom of them sucking water out and sending it to the planted side. What I hope is the fish above will drop fertile eggs down into the rock pile and babies will get pulled over to the other side where the plants and live food is. And if they dont get pulled over right away they can shelter in the rocks. Thats the plan. I will trial it in some tubs first to get the air lift working right and see how it goes. Wish me luck. They I can save tank space and electricity having an all in one system.

[@FatherFish]

Interesting project. Another you could try is a separating mesh large enough for the babies to swim through to escape predation.

[@Firebird894]

@@FatherFish thats a good idea. I have tried it with mixed results some of the babies were not as smart as the others and got eaten before they figured it out

[@AZ-dd4ti]

How to add leaves to our aquarium. Im asking this question because most of the YT videos shows that we need to wash and boil it then they are adding it to the aquarium is that correct way to add a leaf. Could you please tell us what is the correct way to add leaves to the aquarium.

[@FatherFish]

Just shake the dirt off and put them in your aquarium

[@AZ-dd4ti]

@@FatherFish Thanks.

[@mariavaladez7981]

Father...question: even with all the plants I need to put air pump . And water filter??I'm a beginner.😢 I see other. videos with implacable thanks. It look nice I have to say. But I believe the fish will die there eventually. The environment is not balance as you say. Thank you for your videos.. father

[@FatherFish]

eventually everything dies.

[@1guyreckingkrew]

How long can I store them?

[@NatureStudio25]

father fish i made an aquarium with everything you said but i did , only top soil in the bottom and deep substrate capped with sand, is there a way i can make it forever style aquarium without the suppliments bcz i am from india and i cant get your supplements , i can't change it now since i have set it up already ! basically a walstad tank but idk how i can make it for ever like your 22 yrs aquarium

[@FatherFish]

Build a food web and it will provide the nutrients.

[@NatureStudio25]

@@FatherFish thank you father fish love you 🫂❤️

[@vipularora3517]

Hi father fish sir I have applied your concept of deep substrate (2.5 to 3 inches) with dirt at bottom and capping it up with sand. Do you think having baby earthworm in the acquarium will benefit the food web.. earthworms need moist soil to survive which we have in this substrate and also if they try to come up my guppies will eat them... Your thoughts/advice sir :)).. is it worthy to have earthworms in acquarium??

[@FatherFish]

I have NEVER recommended 2.5-3" of dirt. That is certain to fail. Earthworms are terrestrial, not aquatic. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZe5dYBon658iKM

[@WhatIsMisophonia]

Plants from outside huh? Oddly enough, I already did that just out of curiosity over a year ago. I had bought some java moss, and couldn't keep it alive for some damned reason. We have moss growing outside here in Missouri, and I grabbed some of that and threw it in the tank just to see what it would do. In fact, I have trouble growing it in pots because of the lack of humidity indoors, but it thrived underwater, and threatened to take over the whole tank 😅 It's still in there, but I control it. I've got a fog rolling over my tank to improve humidity, and the moss is growing out of the tank onto driftwood. Also, I mentioned a while ago that I recently set up a deep substrate tank with dirt, leaves, and driftwood from a local creek. Weirdly, there's some kind of plant that ended up in there... I thought it was some kind of 2 inch-ish long root at first that was broken off and scooped up in the creek mud, but it's sprouted little pine-looking leaves on one side and a white root on the other. No idea what it is, but I planted it in the substrate and we'll see what happens to it. I mean, it could have actually been a broken off root of a terrestrial plant, but I think it's an aquatic plant; it's kinda like hornwart, but hornwart doesn't have roots, so it's definitely a stem plant, and some of the dead brown stuff on it which I thought were rootlets at first actually looks to be the same shape as the green leaves that just sprouted on one end of it, so idk.

[@FatherFish]

This is the joy of inviting nature into your home. Keep it up WhatIsMisophonia .

[@WhatIsMisophonia]

@@FatherFish So, update on that plant I found, since it's grown out enough that I can come close to a positive identification... I think it's a damn Eurasian Watermilfoil 🤣 First it invades my state, then it invades my fish tank lol. The funny thing is, I've read that it often spreads though broken off shoot fragments, which is literally how I ended up with it. Nature in motion, I guess. Walstad even mentions it in her book, and interestingly enough, it apparently has one of the more potent allelochemicals which completely inhibits blue-green algae. Provided it doesn't harm my other plants, this thing could be quite useful, since I've found blue-green algae to be one of my more tenacious bastards. I'm also curious to see it grow emergent and watch the different types of leaves and flowers form.

[@rockyfehrgaming1829]

Gravel tank will do the same if you don’t vacuum the bottom and never clean the filter

[@FatherFish]

No. It won't.

[@YesFrogYes]

Are there any leaves to stay away from?

[@FatherFish]

Just make sure the leaves are dried and have no odor

[@FatherFish]

nop green leaves. ash, Maple, and fruit break down more easily.

[@rickileah080]

Are fiddle leaves safe?

[@FatherFish]

fiddle?

[@rickileah080]

Yea Fiddle. It is a plant that has 🍁 on it. I’m assuming since you don’t know the plant it must not be ok for fish. Thank you for the help. :)

[@descargaelbano]

How can I send you a PM? In the last month I have found the string algae killer, and it doesn't take many of them and they are micro fish.

[@FatherFish]

You can email me [e-mail]

[@descargaelbano]

@@FatherFish I have tried to respond but for some reason KZbin splits the Link in half, so what I have found is that least killifish are the most amazing string algae Destroyers. I've had 2 inches of it on the wood in my tank, and I went to the canal behind my house and happen to catch a bunch of them and put them in my tank and they wiped it out entirely. It is fun watching them shredding it I am not sure if these fish are available or where you're at, but since I left next to the canal I have an unlimited Supply, along with Bluefin killifish which will eat alot of it if other resources are not available. Shipping is not my specialty but if you need I can catch and send u hundred or so. These are super tiny.

[@frankcastle9991]

Is it ok with a slate rock bottom tank ?

[@FatherFish]

an antique? Certainly!

[@frankcastle9991]

@@FatherFish No sir it’s a slate tile I put on top of the glass instead of bare bottom so the axolotl have grip . Was thinking of dropping oak and maple leaves on top of that .

[@Kingshukpalchoudhury]

I have ( probably) an interesting proposition This is about adding organics and biological material to the substrate.. similar to leaf litter.. Just like leaf litter creates the mulmy layer eventually, feeds micro organisms, creates the co2 needed for plants, Can pieces of plastic free cardboard be added , just like leaves ? Cardboard is basically paper, comes from trees It is already used to culture microworms, so it will serve a similar purpose like leaf litter, may be as a complimentary thing to leaf.. It will probably degrade a bit faster than some specific leaves, but that will also create the mushy mulmy layer on top of the substrate, in which the worms and microfauna actually thrive.. Fishes can also look for food in it.. Its just processed botanicals..

[@FatherFish]

There are glues and base washes used in the manufacture of cardboard that will impact Ph and, potentially, toxicity. The most serious problem is the tough, relatively gas- and water-impermeable material used to coat the cardboard to prevent moisture. This will be slow to break down. I do not recommend cardboard due to its manufacture. Untreated cellulose in the form of mulched vegetable matter is superior.

[@Kingshukpalchoudhury]

@@FatherFish yes.. Thats right..i actually meant the cheap boxes..soft cardboards.. not the high quality water resistant ones.. hence plastic free....but yes.. Even they may probably contain other unknown chemicals..

[@Ang-i-d9v]

Dear father fish: I want to collect material but there is only salt water. There is a place where they fish but it is saltwater, that material is not useful for my freshwater fish tank, right?

[@FatherFish]

Right but is is perfect for a salt water tank. There are many more interesting creatures living close to shore....

[@mstevens6723]

FF, i left a comment on another video about some dirted projects im starting. I love the ideas you have and the approach to fishkeeping! BUT....when you are brainwashed by the mainstream fish world, its hard to break certain habits or beliefs that you have. At least all at once lol. But i am breaking free i promise. I do have one question and plz dont take offense.... Really and Honestly, what risks are there to putting leaves in the tank from a local stream or lake? Like whats worse case. Also, what percentage are we to have a negative result? I just am nervous to end up with some parasite or other mini monster that i now have to battle for months trying to get rid of or is killing fish etc. would you recommend (as silly as it sounds) quarantining the leaves to rule out certain things larvae etc? Like i said, i love your methods and am beginning to implement, just a scaredy cat 😂 thanks father fish!

[@FatherFish]

Look carefully at the environment where you are collecting culture. In nearly all cases it will be difficult to find diseased fish. The most common place to find serious problems is in aquariums that are being isolated from any contact with the natural world. There is a substantially higher risk of disease in trying to maintain a sterile aquarium than one filled with natural material.

[@mstevens6723]

@@FatherFish huh. Ok that makes sense. Are there certain characteristics youd be more inclined towards as far as the body of water itself? So like moving water vs still, depth/size, time of year etc?

[@mstevens6723]

@@FatherFish also are there other things that signal a healthy environment that i should look for besides healthy fish. Obviously it is sometimes hard to see fish and observe their health in most natural bodies of water without going in lol

[@GoodSamaritan1972]

Why does he not address the issue of pathogens that are present in these naturally collected leaves? I am truly surprised. Imagine getting a store bought fish and exposing it to a bunch of dirty leaves that are picked from a pond. Wouldn't there be loads of pathogens that could potentially harm an aquarium store bred fish ....especially when kept together in a limited volume of water...unlike rivers or lakes. I hope my question doesnt offend you because that is not my intention whatsoever. I am truly curious. Internal parasites, ich. Etc...what do we do about these

[@FatherFish]

Watch more of my videos. I explain this very carefully.. The pathogens in a so called sterile tank are dangerously out of balance. A natural biodiversity keeps pathogens in check. You have more dangerous pathogens in your tank now than you will after you add some gunk from a local creek.